One of the awesome things about getting chosen as an artist for this commission was getting to amplify positive things about Mattapan by spending time with and talking to the people who live there. For the research part of my practice, I got a tour of Mattapan from the youth at The Violence Intervention Program (VIP) housed at Mattapan Community Health Center. Plus, every Mattapan resident who volunteered to be a model for the artwork allowed me to interview them. The images below are photographs I took as reference for the artwork.... and I'd also like to think of them as byproducts of good conversation.

*All photographs are taken by Chanel Thervil, unless otherwise noted.

Meet Arthur: One of the seven Mattapan residents featured in the artwork.

CT: What do you wish more people knew about Mattapan?

Arthur: It's place that is under-credited and overlooked. There is such a wealth of diversity, history, culture that make up the communities within the Mattapan community. I wish more people took the time to get to know that rather than making assumptions.

CT: How has living in Mattapan affected you?

Arthur: It has had such a positive impact on my growth and development. I have learned so much through my experiences here. Living and working here has shown me so much about how the potential of young people needs to be encouraged and supported so they can be the positive impact they wish to see in their community.